Daniel+Lauren

Zero’s The Hero

You can argue all you want, and you will lose every time, but New York City is the birthplace of every fashion, cultural, and pop revolution the world has adopted, one key takeaway we’ve been blessed with here in Manhattan are “Only Hearts”, a lingerie and outerwear brand born in 1978, where “Only Hearts”, and only “Only Hearts” can make the claim that they were the first brand to create lingerie as outerwear, others fought, and lost, and Daniel Plus Lauren was very lucky to sit down with “Only Hearts” during the CURVE New York trade show at the Javits Center right before New York Fashion Week, taking in how fun, and inspiring intimate apparel is when worn as outerwear, and from those who first created it.

Her name is Helena Stuart, she’s by far a pioneer in the world of lingerie, and right out of her living room here in NYC, Helena took fabrics used to make bras and panties, and made what turned out to be sheer tops, skirts, and dresses designed with built-in lace that look like flower patterns while mixing colors with intimate fabrics that make pieces like “Go Alice” where you see the black bottom up shirt and orange baby tank shirt consisting of mushroom designs, originating from the orange vintage thong and French bikini, where Helena was the first to make underwear as outerwear.

“Only Hearts” goes beyond lace and sheer with light fabrics that make up patterned designs like the ever-classic and fun-loving plaid, that’s what you see here with shades of red and blue called the “Lake District”, it’s originations are the underwire bra, pearl thong, and the high cut brief, depth is added to create outerwear to this plaid set with the Jillian Wrap where short sleeves are designed for the ideal crop top, and v-neck to give each breast its own identity, and ability to show off, one with a keen eye for fabric details will be delighted how this delicate fabric gives your important assets the sex appeal it’s worked hard to build and sculp.

The “Only Hearts” “Lake District” line of pieces are not just a facilitator of Jillian Wraps, it also praises the intimates as outerwear idea Helena is the mother of with spaghetti strap body-con dresses, plus a long sleeve shoulder wrap on many of the cold nights and cold rooms that still exist in these last days of Winter, and into the first days of Spring.

Remember “Go Ask Alice” earlier with sheer lingerie that inspired button-down and tanks? Well, “Go Ask Alice” goes the distance with all her precious mushrooms in this transformation of the “Little Black Dress”, turning their intimate origins into its very own LBD in orange, wonderful v-neck design for each breast to shine, tank dress at its core, and a perfect opportunity to wear a minimal bra and panties seen over the last 2 years at The Met Gala, and on celebrities such as Kendall Jenner, and white-hot music sensation, Olivia Rodrigo.

If you can’t buy yourself “Flowers” like Miley Cyrus has, don’t cry, because flowers in black are your next go-to style this Spring, Summer, and Fall 2023 as “Only Hearts” works up the flowers with sheer on their v-neck crop top also paired with long wrap skirt as it’s twin, giving off again those Kendall Jenner and Olivia Rodrigo vibes for an opportunity to partner with minimal bra and panty, black or like colored dress preferably.

What do flowers and señorita have in common? They give off Spanish vibes lined with roses with “Only Hearts” “Ines” for every step up from intimates as outerwear possible, rose petals on true black canvas consisting of Eva Top, Wing Shorts, Halter Sun Dress, and Bucket Hat because rooftop parties in New York City no matter the destination are always a cool place to hang throughout Spring and Summer, plus a few moments this Fall when it starts to get cool again, and the thicker fabrics of “Ines” require unforgettable cool moments.

Second Skin; there’s only one place where it began, and that’s “Only Hearts”, current makers of it who proudly stand by it have been taken to court by Helena Stuart, where Helena won her case about she being the first to create it, and coin it, second skin that “Only Hearts” can do are found in bra tops, biker shorts with lace patterns at the thigh, plus second skin chemise that do more than flatter your wonderful figure, they are a base to your other clothing, and are a stand alone option not just for exercise, but the only thing you’ll need for outerwear this season, and a hot night out.

Even by themselves as intimates, and at their origins of bra, panties, teddies, singlets, and such, “Only Hearts”, who created “intimates as outerwear”, and also “second skin” when it all began in 1978 here in New York City, continues to move forward with delightful designs that not only answer the call of today’s intimate trends, but standout to become trendsetters not only on the red carpet, but with Hollywood elites who’ve gone to “Only Hearts” to cultivate their looks that set social media and the Hollywood scene on fire, “Only Hearts” is the only place you must stop for all your Spring, Summer, and Fall looks of 2023.

Daniel Quintanilla

By Patricia Ann Parenti

Dell Scott is an American born designer from Delaware, that started her collection in 2015. She showed at NYFW on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 52 Walker Street in NYC. The theme of her collection is Emerge. What it means is there is no darkness without light and no light without darkness. Emerge is a collection illuminated by both of the elements. When the elements are merged, they are balanced.

Her line is all about after 5 dresses and gowns that are a take-off on old fashioned glamour. The fabrics are silky satins, luxurious sequins, foiled metalics, and lavish pearl mesh. The style of the collection is elegant with deep necklines, slits, flared skirts and dramatic silhouettes. Her color scheme was ivory, teal, blue and black which are colors that look good on practically everyone.

My friend Debbie Dickinson whom I’ve known forever, worked the runway like no other new model could! She was the grand finale in the black pearl trim/petal gown. As she floated down the runway, she showed off the beautiful full skirt on the gown. Since she made the gown come alive, I have a photo of her featuring the back and front.

The ivory pearl mesh gown and skater dress are perfect for brides who don’t want to wear white. Dell Scott has a silhouette to flatter all figure types. There are short halter dresses for the woman with a great figure who wants to show it off and look sexy. The gowns accent the waist and the bust of a lady but hide a large bottom because they have a full skirt. Trains on gowns are an important trend this season.  Dell did a black pearl mesh wrap short tutu dress with an overskirt that looks like a full train in the back but is really a high/low style dress which was my favorite style out of the whole collection. 

All in all, this was a very easy collection for most women to wear and feel confident, beautiful and sexy in. Her sizes are 4 – 14, but she will also custom make the dress if that isn’t your size.

Since this is her fall collection and not available yet; I suggest you go on her website to find styles that are available to buy now.

WWW.DELLSCOTTCOLLECTION.COM.

I looked at the website and found many beautiful and elegant styles for at once.

Patricia Ann Parenti

Headstrong Style

We face tough choices everyday, some of those decisions can make or break the outcome of our lives, but if we don’t make a major change to improve our lives sooner or later, then it’ll do nothing but spiral out of control, and take a turn for the worse, that’s where INHERENT designer, Taylor Draper, found himself before turning his life around, and on Valentine’s Day night during New York Fashion Week at Manhattan Manor, his decision to come to terms with his mental health brought him to reveal his Fall and Winter 2023-2024 menswear and womenswear collection, emphasizing the wellness of you.

Taylor’s INHERENT walks through his journey battling mental health, and puts it to work to uplift both men and women, embodying the trappings of luxury, celebrating the ongoing mission of men’s mental health with English tailoring, New York streetwear, and Ivy League styles to create a unique blend of timeless and modern fashion.

INHERENT FW23-24 is made up of wool, cotton, and cashmere suitings, twills, plush corduroy, and shirtings, accompanied by knitwear that’s soft like a stick of butter provoking avant- garde, colors include moss and forest green, chocolate brown, and midnight navy, you’ll also find a few colors that warm and comfort you in these continuing cold Winter that could last well into Spring, according to Accu-Weather Meteorologists.

The mission of INHERENT FW 23-24 is not just styles and silhouettes found in blazers and trousers also contemporary streetwear in the highest quality, but INHERENT is out to change the stigma of mental health, going from storing away your struggles so you’re not ashamed, to having the courage to deal with times of struggle in your life, get help as soon as you can, and do what Designer, Taylor Draper did to cope with his struggles with mental health, get help, make drastic changes in your life to put you in a place of better happiness, leaving more room to achieve your dreams.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, call the National Mental Health Hotline at 1-866-903-3787, they’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and it’s free and confidential!!!!

Also, go to the National Institute of Mental Health, and find out more information about mental health disorders.

Daniel Quintanilla

By Patricia Ann Parenti

On February 15, 2023 Kevan Hall showed his fall and winter couture collection at the Art Deco, 3 West Club in the Grand Ballroom. The ballroom was the perfect place to showcase all his beautiful eveningwear because this is the kind of place you would wear these grand entrance making gowns to. In my photos I’m showing you the backs and fronts of the gowns to let you see the detailing that is done on the backs of the gowns also. No matter if you’re standing with your back or front against a crowd of people you will be noticed and the center of attention.

When I asked Kevan the inspiration for his collection, he told me “Dame, Shirley Bassey” who was very famous in the 1950s thru the 1970s. He told me he played her music all the time while designing this collection. Many of these gowns are very much inspired by Shirley’s glamourous stage clothes that I remember from the 1970s from watching her perform on TV. 

I loved his collection because it was so ladylike and feminine with a throwback to when women dressed like this in the 1950s. He used real fur by Saga Furs (which I also wear) and diamond jewelry by Jeff Daniels Unique Designs for Gem Platinum to make his line of clothing more authentic 1950s looking. His suits are perfect for luncheon engagements with the club and this is exactly how women dressed back then.

The use of gemstone colors is prevalent in his eveningwear in fabrics such as soft crepes and plush velvets. A prismatic effect on many fabrics is using crystalline structured materials that refract light. Gold embellished tweeds are used in suits and a few gowns to give the items a Parisian flair.

He launched his signature Kevan Hall Collection in 2002 with a fashion philosophy that emphasizes pure style, impeccable tailoring, and perfectly draped silhouettes as shown in the gown photos I took. His collection is by special order because it’s Haute Couture and made in Los Angeles, California. It’s not sold off the rack in stores. If you are interested in buying anything you see in my photos than contact Crescala Fashion Develpoment and ask for John Moscatello 917-885-5300 or go and visit his company at 8313 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048.

The clothes Kevan Hall makes will last you many years, are classic, not trendy, and extremely well made. I wish to thank Very New York PR for inviting me to the show. I got to sit up front, take photos and get a close look at all the rich fabrics that were used.

Patricia Ann Parenti

By Patricia Ann Parenti

Victor De Souza showed his collection at a store called Room and Board at 236 West 18^th Street in NYC on February 9, 2023. The store sells high quality modern style furniture. It was a beautiful show and I wish to thank Bonnie Bien at La Presse PR for inviting me to cover the show for my blog.

I’ve been attending this designer’s couture shows for a while now.  Everything you see in my photos can be specially ordered to fit you perfectly. Couture designers work with their clients on a one-on-one basis and take measurements on you then have the item of clothing sewn in their Altier. In Victor’s case his clothes are made in NYC so you know you are getting the best craftmanship available. 

This season’s collection was inspired by the suits of the late 1960s with fitted copped jackets and miniskirts. Other looks reminisce of that era are maxi dresses with tight bodices, matching bows on the front of the bodice and long trains in the back for making a grand entrance at the ball. He took touches from the Elizabethan era with ruffled collars on maxi coats. Knee length shorts were paired with double breasted peplum jackets adorned with gold buttons and worn with matching knee socks to give the outfit a school girl look.

As someone who attends the European fabric shows, I can tell you he uses the best fabrics from Europe. Some of the fabrics he used in his collection this season were tapestry, brocades and re-embroidered lace. What made his collection so special was his use of big silver or gold buttons that looked like a pieces of jewelry. Bows on bodices gave the jackets and dresses an extra special detail that I felt added to the 1960s theme of the collection.

Dustin Lujan did an excellent job of styling the show. His use of textured hose and knee socks made the outfits seem polished. Even the flat pointed toe shoes with bows on the front were replicas of what would have been worn in the 1960s with these clothes. I loved how the outfits were so coordinated with the shoes and hosiery.

Victors’ suits can be worn to the office, a luncheon and a dressy daytime event. The gowns and coats are perfect for attending black tie events at night. When you where his clothes you will be making a fashion statement because they are so beautiful and unusual but very easy to wear. These are the clothes that will last for decades because they are classic styles.

For more information www.victordesouzany.com , or follow and message him on Instagram @victordesouza.

Collaboration: Daniel Quintanilla & Patricia Ann Parenti

Female The Stallion

Today at Coterie New York here in New York City, we’re all in search of the next best most elegant dress to make our Autumn nights a lot more stylish than the other, we want nothing but the highest quality fabrics to cling onto our hard-earned figure, plus we’re on the lookout of the magenta color that is 2023, we’re in luck when Daniel Plus Lauren found Eleonora Gottardi, under the Black Stallion Trading of Soho that blisses us with full body Italian beauty.

What you see here by Eleonora Gottardi are wool and cashmere mini blazers, jackets, dresses, and blouses that are full-blooded Italian made, with 100 percent Italian yarn, and it’s entirely made in Italy, a luxury knitwear brand aimed at a modern, tenacious and self-conscious woman, also made with fine and eco-sustainable yarns.

In its third season, Eleonora Gottardi makes her Fall and Winter 2023-2024 edition about quality, every single step is made with care and attention and controlled by a team of experts specialized in knitwear.enhanced by color to create a glamorous and eccentric style designed not to go unnoticed.

Wool also plays an incredibly strong role with the magenta sweater, featuring multiple V patterns up and down in the front, with vertical lines as you unzip to make into a collar with well-designed zipper hardware, you’ll also find an open shoulder sweater dress made by the same Italian wool with silver wool at the top along with half-sphere hardware for a beautiful touch of decoration.

Along with Eleonora Gottardi at Black Stallion Trading, this SoHo showroom also houses European and German designers such as Lemanja, Buffalo, Facon Jacmin, House Of Amen, Buscemi, Ih Nom Uh Nit Paris, AMEN, and de couture, all producing beautiful denim jeans and jackets, plaid dresses, and men’s button down shirts.

Daniel Quintanilla

Modern, But Mainly Family

Here at Coterie New York, there’s a whole new vibe here, a trade show here at the Javits Center filled with the most immersive experience found in years, a showroom where you want to buy every entire collection not only for your retail establishment, but for yourself, living up the warm and exciting moments of Fall/ Winter 2023, also feeling that moment you ring in 2024, but it takes an entire team of people to cultivate this one and only experience, a family of workers at all levels to deliver a special moment just for you, enter Alpaca, a Peruvian brand filled with collections that put their heart and soul into the designs they make.

Alpaca, it starts in a place called Peru, where the mountain people make this sustainable brand made from the animal of Alpaca, where this precious mountain animal is not killed by the people, but is allowed to die naturally without interference, then the mountain people come in once the alpaca dies because there’s nobody to take care of the alpaca, to use the alpaca’s fur and skin to make items like towels, shower curtains, tops, bottoms, and coats that have been said to be softer than cashmere.

However, it’s quite the contrary, alpaca is not softer than cashmere, but it is stronger, and much warmer than cashmere, producing a family of Alpaca Brands comprised for sustainable use for household, and fashion with colors blended together without the use of dyes.

Under the family of Alpaca Collections, you will find brands such as Kuna, Saya, Anntarah, and many other luxury brands specializing in home goods, Winter coats, and womenswear, all committed to one single mission, to make a fully organic umbrella of items made by Tailors who’ve committed their entire life to taking high quality fabrics, and turning them into the most beautiful, highly functional sustainable items possible, keeping the natural beauty that is you in mind.

Daniel Quintanilla

Sparks Flying

Tis the season to be glamorous, now that were heading into a Fall & Winter 2023-24 filled with enormous hope and optimism, that’s what’s key here today on this second day of Coterie New York at the Javits Center, where Baccio Resort collection enters the room to bring you all the fine special moments you have in store this year, either with yourself, or your loved ones.

Based in Miami, Florida, Baccio dating back to 2002 is handcrafted, designed and manufactured all in one place, consisting of gowns and swimwear that mirror one design concept of sequin consisting bold and bright colors in red, blue, silver, and gold, plus sheer gowns designed lace and bits of sparkle that show off not only at the body, but at the bottom where colors like blue make a bold statement.

With Spring and Summer on the horizon, Baccio’s swimwear options definitely are ready for days on the beach, beach party, pool party, hot rooftop parties, and a resort destination on the high-end list, Baccio’s gowns iconic in its own right storm the next few months at prom, sweet 16, quinceanera, weddings and even bar mitzvah, they also throw a Hail Mary at communion and confirmations for pre-teen and adolescent girls attending those holy events.

The Baccio Resort gown has fine cut options to choose from, the traditional head-to-toe, one sleeve/ one shoulder gown, and short LBD like gowns, all having one thing in common, a bodysuit to complete the sheer design the gown is made up of with lace, beads, and sparkle making up the rest.

Also new this Fall for Baccio Resort are its loungewear collection, taking a minor page from its resort swimwear and gowns, but offering more traditional prints and neutral colors, plus Baccio Resort has a wedding collection that you can shop for if you have a march down the aisle this Summer, or far in advance for next Summer and beyond.

Daniel Quintanilla

Commander In Fashion

Jason Wu, the man, and the designer, that was on former First Lady, Michelle Obama, during the night of Obama’s first inauguration in 2009, and wowed many woman to sell out his collection shortly after, returns today on this first day of Coterie New York here at the Javits Center in midtown Manhattan, to reveal the launch of his Jason Wu Handbags collection, that is set for launch, delivery, and sale this August.

Thanks to the ihl Group, this all leather licensed Jason Wu Handbags collection is contemporary, with their price range from $199 to $450, consisting of 3 deliveries, just coming off a major launch with rave reviews about the details throughout the bags, and the price point are spot on with contemporary zones achieving the arch status of sharp prices without needing to come down off their listed price.

Jason Wu Handbags are balanced with ladylike everyday handbags and evening options designed and decorated with significant rose texture as well as leopard like textured handbags that give off true emotion, rose handbags found in clutches, oversized bags, and magnificent metal and magnetically charged detail that open up your bags, as well as zipper compartments to store extra items like makeup, mirrors, and iPhones.

Jason Wu is a maven, a mandarin of ruffle detail, which fits perfectly in ready-to-wear options thanks to oversized detail that you need for that all important evening out at a special happy hour with work, a meet up at the bar, or just a truly fun night out with the girls at a party, or out at the club.

What’s more robust about Jason Wu Handbags is how leather, original crescent moon hardware, and interior design all become one to create the newest, and next best handbag accessory that you need to carry to close out 2023 and ring in 2024, gusset options for its interior thanks to beautifully strong suede give you a clutch, frame bags with fabulous bottom detail, and an oversized bag for heavy packing days filled with style, and something your friend will want to go out and buy now once launching in August.

Card cases and crossbody handbags also rule the nest with Jason Wu Handbags, what all these handbags have in common are turning these handbags from day into night, thanks to the ability of traditional straps, shoulder straps that you can remove, which 2 handbags being the card cases and the clutches turn into night handbags, carrying ruffle rose detail that Jason Wu is best known for.

Jason Wu Handbags also extends itself with accessories and accessibility by making his handbags large enough to carry your 13 inch Apple MacBook Pro Laptop into your bag as you pull out to do up-to-the-minute work under deadline.

Jason Wu extends himself period because Jason Wu has now moved into the accessories area along with his contemporary womenswear collections, destined to become the next great American and International designer along with Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein as Jason Wu gets ready to capitalize on his big moment, aggressively behind a promotional campaign for the Jason Wu Handbag collection.

Daniel Quintanilla

The Magenta Year

Right in the presence of fine dining, and at the heart of West 57th Street near 5th Avenue here in Manhattan, Cesar Galindo held his runway show over at the prestigious Cucina 81/2 Italian Restaurant with an Upper East Side crowd that was nothing but high society.

A modern and sophisticated collection with lots of jewel tones, and bright prints, with his key colors being a combination of navy and green on dresses and pantsuits, wide-legged pants with bell sleeve tops were also on display as Cesar incorporated bucket hats that matched the outfits.

In quilted fabric, navy extended itself onto boatneck top with bell sleeves, sleeveless swing dresses, plus a sea of wine came crashing down onto cocoon coats.

It’s all about what you’re seen wearing at dusk, evening wear is found on body conscious clothing and stretch silver metallic fabric.

Sexy silhouettes include v-neck mini-dress with shearing on the bottom, and thong bodysuit to be worn under micro mini-skirts, plus body conscious sleeveless dress with matching jacket.

Cesar Galindo makes all his clothes in New York City’s Garment District, also contributing to the environment by using dead stock fabrics.

Cesar’s been in business for over 30 years, producing the highest quality collections.

Collaboration: Daniel Quintanilla & Patricia Ann Parenti